Golden Globes nominations: TV snubs and surprises

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There are snubs and surprises in the TV categories for the 70th Golden Globes

"Mad Men" and "Game of Thrones" were passed over in the best drama category

"Smash" and "Episodes" being nominated over "Louie" was surprising

At least Lindsay Lohan wasn't nominated for "Liz & Dick."

Several awards prognosticators seriously thought Lohan had a real chance of being nominated for a Golden Globe this morning for her critically panned Lifetime movie, likely figuring the Hollywood Foreign Press Association would want the actress at their show next month (remember star-studded "The Tourist" for best picture in 2010?).

The HFPA resisted, but the fact some professionals thought Lohan might get nominated should give you an idea of how not-very-seriously to take their actual choices.

That said: There's snubs and surprises this year that will make you sputter into your Lucky Charms.

Snubbed:

"Mad Men":

No "Mad Men"?! First, the acclaimed awards favorite loses the best drama series Emmy to "Homeland," ending its streak. Okay. But now the Globes ignores the show entirely for the series category. We all felt the awards fatigue for this AMC favorite, but did the drama really drop so low in quality that it went from a perpetual frontrunner to not even being nominated?

"Game of Thrones":

Whaaa? The second season was better than the first. And the first was nominated for Emmy and Globes best series. Yet HBO's "Thrones" was shut out of best drama here, and co-star Peter Dinklage, who won the Emmy last year, was absent for best supporting despite having arguably better material this round.

"American Horror Story":

This is quite a surprise, because the HFPA really seems to appreciate writer-producer Ryan Murphy. They've previously nominated "AHS," and "Glee" and "Nip/Tuck" (with the latter two having won series categories in the past). But this year? No "AHS" in the movie/mini category. Murphy's new NBC comedy "The New Normal" was also half-expected to get a nomination.

A personal favorite, shut-out of best movie/mini. The HFPA has shown they can appreciate crime procedurals (with actors from "The Mentalist "and "Without a Trace" getting nominated in prior years). You would think BBC's critical darling "Sherlock" — arguably the finest crime drama in years on any network — would have easily secured a nomination. But, once again, "Sherlock" was robbed (though at least Benedict Cumberbatch received a nod).

"Sons of Anarchy":

Is it really a snub if it's always snubbed? Discuss.

Surprises:

"Breaking Bad":

Finally! The HFPA finally nominates "Breaking Bad" for best drama series. I realize this nomination is wholly earned, but given the Globes' long track record of ignoring the AMC drama in this category, doing the right thing qualifies as a shocker. This is the drama that people who work on other dramas say is the best show on TV.

"Smash":

Nominated for best comedy/musical series. Really? It's a musical, and you're the HFPA. We get that part. But there's a reason the first season's showrunner and half the cast are not returning for season two. NBC's "Smash" was a bit of a mess and is being overhauled. Missing from the category: FX's "Louie," a modestly rated show that many critics insist is TV's best comedy. I mean, if you're going to nominate a comedy nobody watches, why choose Showtime's "Episodes" over "Louie"?

Max Greenfield & Mandy Patinkin:

Two very welcome surprises. "New Girl's" Schmidt and "Homeland's" CIA mastermind were recognized for the second seasons of their respective hits. That Patinkin in particular was overlooked last year by the Emmys and Globes had industry insiders reeling (guess that's what happens when your acting is subtle compared to your more manic co-stars).